Hephaestus has really captured my attention lately, and I was pretty upset with the information given to me from the reading this weekend. I need more of this beautiful role-model! There is so much more depth and personality to be explored, which brings me to lines 926 and 927 of "Selections from the Theogony." I was excited to get more on this severely under-rated god. I was disappointed. Two lines. Thirty-one words for the god of fire's beginning.
I felt sorry for Hephaestus, at first. He’s always overlooked. I even overlooked him when I learned about the Greek gods before college, and he is easily overlooked. Hephaestus is the only deformed immortal, which makes him the comedy relief for the other immortals. When he's mentioned, it is mainly for his craftsmanship and being laughed at by other immortals. His own father overlooks him. The gods and goddesses that stay in focus have powers and personalities that adhere to what stays in the focus of humankind. Drama, power, women, riches, honor, etc. Hera is in constant conflict with Zeus, Zeus loves to practice procreation with people other than his wife, and the list goes on and on.
All that information just gives me a deeper appreciation for Hephaestus. Instead of being bitter about the lack of love received from his father, he gives his mother double the affection and attention. He defends Hera and encourages her. Hephaestus is the god of fire, so he could easily be violent and ill-tempered. Instead of using his power to burn those who overlooked him, Hephaestus creates. He built all of the houses on Mount Olympus, crafted Achilles a new shield, and many of the immortals' weapons and armor. The other gods and goddesses are engaged in battle, conflict, gossip. Personally, I would rather be Hephaestus, hanging out on Mount Olympus with my workshop and art room. His life, to me, seems to be the happiest.
I felt sorry for Hephaestus, at first. He’s always overlooked. I even overlooked him when I learned about the Greek gods before college, and he is easily overlooked. Hephaestus is the only deformed immortal, which makes him the comedy relief for the other immortals. When he's mentioned, it is mainly for his craftsmanship and being laughed at by other immortals. His own father overlooks him. The gods and goddesses that stay in focus have powers and personalities that adhere to what stays in the focus of humankind. Drama, power, women, riches, honor, etc. Hera is in constant conflict with Zeus, Zeus loves to practice procreation with people other than his wife, and the list goes on and on.
All that information just gives me a deeper appreciation for Hephaestus. Instead of being bitter about the lack of love received from his father, he gives his mother double the affection and attention. He defends Hera and encourages her. Hephaestus is the god of fire, so he could easily be violent and ill-tempered. Instead of using his power to burn those who overlooked him, Hephaestus creates. He built all of the houses on Mount Olympus, crafted Achilles a new shield, and many of the immortals' weapons and armor. The other gods and goddesses are engaged in battle, conflict, gossip. Personally, I would rather be Hephaestus, hanging out on Mount Olympus with my workshop and art room. His life, to me, seems to be the happiest.
P.S. I commented on Logan Turner's post and Hailey Morgan's post.
How many times has Hephaestus saved mortals and other deities with his smithing and craftsmanship? More than any of the other immortals combined I'd wager. Hephaestus seems to be perfectly fine with just chilling in his forgery making whatever his heart desires for all eternity with no need or worry of being bothered.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd that we humans have sympathies for a god? I share the sympathies with you regarding Hephaestus. He is one of the most just gods. He is the least loved but the most loving. He has the power to have conflict with the other gods, yet he chooses not to do so. He is very admirable.
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog post! You really brought out a side of Greek mythology I hadn't considered yet. It's easy for me to notice how the Greeks made flawed gods, and while one would think that the most physically "flawed" god would follow their moral suit, he doesn't! Instead he's the one that has love and compassion. He literally married Aphrodite! I think the Greeks may have been commenting that power is more than physical power.
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